'This isn't happening anywhere else in the country'
<p>Pictured from left to right: Cheryl Williams, from the Pneu Thera Spine and Sport Clinic; Brett Taylor, from Taylor and Sons Chevrolet; Karin Cook, from Pneumex; SHS head coach Satini Puailoa, strapped into one of the treadmills; Curt Hecker, from Panhandle State Bank; and Doug Cipriano, from Sandpoint Orthopedics. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
SANDPOINT — If the Sandpoint High School athletes appear bigger, faster, stronger and more healthy this year, it won’t be by accident.
Thanks to a handful of local businesses stepping up and donating, Bulldog athletes now have the opportunity to receive world class training in the SHS weight room.
Pneumex, Taylor and Sons Chevrolet, Sandpoint Orthopedics and Panhandle State Bank helped raise more than $40,000 to equip the high school with four treadmills, two vibration platforms and a couple of Pneu back chairs — more than $150,000 worth of equipment all told.
The equipment has been used by NFL teams like the Patriots, Raiders and Jets, as well as numerous college and NBA teams. Now it’s available free to any local athlete with the desire to improve.
“This isn’t happening anywhere else in the country,” said SHS football coach Satini Puailoa, lauding the support of the businesses that made it happen. “That’s why we’re so grateful for these guys.”
The treadmills are capable of going more than 30 mph, and athletes can strap themselves into a harness and essentially train the body to run faster, while improving balance, symmetry, footwork and overall athleticism.
The vibration platforms help increase muscle strength, flexibility and range of motion, as well as speed up the recovery and regeneration time after an injury. The back chairs help improve posture, which increases performance and decreases injury.
The specialized training has always been offered at Pneumex, but at a financial cost to the parents and athletes.
“You can’t make a team with only the kids who can afford to do it. This takes the financial burden out of the parents’ hands,” said Puailoa of the advanced training. “Anyone who wants to be an athlete can train, and it’s not based on socioeconomics.”
Best of all, the equipment is available to any and all SHS athletes, not just the football players, and 10 coaches are now certified to train at the high school.
“Coach made it clear that it was for all programs,” said Brett Taylor, who played quarterback for Puailoa years ago. “It doesn’t hurt that we love him to death.”
Curt Hecker saw firsthand the positive effect that Karin Cook and Pneumex had on his two sons Cody and Chad, and said it seemed like an opportune time step up and help the local kids.
Cook, who has worked with Puailoa for years at Pneumex, believes injuries could drop by as much as 80 percent with the use of the equipment.
“We should have some incredible athletes with no injuries,” said Cook, who, like many, holds a high opinion of Puailoa. “He’s the best coach in the nation. He coaches any kid who wants to be coached.”